Estes Park Performance Inc. presents proposal to town board

Trustees get EPIC outline

Stan Black speaks to the town board Tuesday concerning the EPIC proposal that will be before the board during its Jan. 22 meeting.
(
John Cordsen
)

Estes Park trustees received a detailed outline of what Estes Performance Incorporated (EPIC) envisions if the dream of a downtown performing arts theater comes to fruition. EPIC has envisioned a premier, $20- million performing arts theater with retail shops on the site of the old Park Theatre Mall that was destroyed by fire in October of 2009. The lot has sat empty in the heart of downtown Estes Park and is referred to by some as the "eyesore on Elkhorn."

EPIC wants to change that, with the construction of a long-sought-after performing arts center in Estes Park. The Seeley family has donated the land where the mall once stood to EPIC for the construction of the arts center. This is contingent on the project going forward.

"One goal tonight is to get you comfortable (with the project) to make a decision when you meet Jan. 22," said EPIC board member Stan Black.

The decision Black referred to is one of those forward steps that brought EPIC before the town board: they need a little more land to build "an adequate theater," not just a theater. To meet this need, EPIC is requesting a purchase option for a portion of the town's Riverside property, including a segment of the parking lot. The option was for $1 and for other considerations, including property easements for the Riverwalk through the property to Moraine Avenue and construction of the Riverwalk through the property. EPIC has deemed the lot necessary to build Rocky Mountain Performing Arts Center (The Rocky).

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The additional property would be used to lengthen the overall footprint of the theater, including providing adequate room for the backstage area and a loading dock, along with other upgrades to the overall plan.

"This would allow the project to go forward without any cash from the town," said EPIC member Bob Gunn.

The additional land would allow EPIC to construct the theater in an east/west orientation, with the stage area toward the east and the parking lot. The remainder of the property would house a three-story structure that would include retail shops and restaurants, whose rent would be used to offset the costs of the theater's operation. Under old plans associated with the Supporters of Performing Arts (SOPA), the town was going to provide a subsidy to the theater to the tune of over $200,000 per year.

The question of granting the option agreement will be taken up again by the board at its Jan. 22 meeting. The board tabled the request at their Nov. 27, 2012, meeting. On Jan. 22, the board will not approve or deny the overall project, it will only approve or deny the purchase option requested by EPIC. If approved, the option must be exercised by Jan. 31, 2014. Prior to transfer of the town's property, EPIC must receive all necessary approvals of its development plan, including special review approval from the Estes Valley Planning Commission and Estes Park Town Board, as well as any variances for the project.

Black said if the town does not agree to the purchase option, "we will have to determine if the project goes forward," he said. "Right now that does not look favorable."

The EPIC request has drawn opposition from neighboring businesses who object to the loss of over 20 parking spaces in the heart of downtown Estes Park. Theater detractors have also objected to the impact the theater would have on views. EPIC has attempted to address these issues in revisions to their plan, including the offer to build a parking structure to the east of the theater. They've addressed the visual impact complaints by creating a computer image of the theater, and its impact on views, as it would be seen from the parking lot of the Catholic Church on Hwy. 34.